keen towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4 out
held up, pushed along 3 out, never on terms
soon tracked winner until 4 out, ridden next, plugged on same pace
always in rear, struggling from 3 out, hit next
in touch, ridden and headway 3 out, no impression from next
made all, unchallenged
tracked winner early, close up, chased winner 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
Bumper winner COURTLAND made a promising start over hurdles when third at Hereford and has a fitness edge over the returning Shakem Up'arry. The latter has the strongest form with placed efforts over hurdles at Newbury last season but hasn’t raced since March while bumper winner Unohu makes his debut over timber on his return to action. Brooksway Fair has won a point-to-point and ran well for a long way over track and trip on his hurdling bow and Freddie Darling should also improve on last month’s hurdling debut at Fontwell.
Ascot Day (FR) 11-2 (8-7) Tracked leader, short of room travelling well over 2f out, ridden and no room over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Daawy (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Brooksway Fair (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Mid-division, not fluent and closed 2nd, not fluent 5th, went 2nd soon after until final bend, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 11, 37 1/4l behind Do Your Job (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Oct.
Bucks Dream (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Midfield, ridden before 3 out, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, no impression, 11th of 12, 36 3/4l behind Wilde About Oscar (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Cheng Gong 17-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, led over 3f out, clear when ridden and hung left 2f out, all out, won at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Azor Ahai (10-9) by nk, 16 ran.
Courtland (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Close up, slight error 3 out, disputing 2nd and travelling well 2 out, pushed along and every chance last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 12, 3 1/4l behind Benson (11-5) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Earthly (USA) 50-1 (9-9) Chased leaders on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon wandered and outpaced, plugged on, 6th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Harmonise (10-9) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Freddie Darling (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Led, mistake 3 out, pushed along when headed 2 out, kept on at same pace after last, lost 2nd final 110 yards, 5th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Lord Accord (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Shakem Up'arry (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, led to after 3rd, tracked leaders to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Envoi Allen (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Unohu 5-2 (11-9) Pressed winner, pushed along over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Red Rookie (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Mar.
